Cleveland OH vs Omaha NE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 36.7% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 46.8% | 11.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $297,017 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1960 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.0% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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